Super slim Andy drops 5st – and starts business

Going up two sizes in a year for his work’s Christmas jumper day saw a weightwatcher realise he wanted to slim down.

Andy Halliwell, 31, went from a medium to an extra extra large Christmas jumper and after weighing in at nearly 18 stones, decided to join Weight Watchers.

Since getting together with my wife we had both slipped into that comfortable, happy life mode and we didn’t care what we were eating

After getting to his goal weight two years ago, Andy, who now works in Garstang, stopped going to the meetings and admits slipping back into his old habits.

He said: “Since getting together with my wife we had both slipped into that comfortable, happy life mode and we didn’t care what we were eating.

“Takeaways, KFC and trips to the pub were on the menu at least three times a week and I decided that enough was enough.#

“I knew I could do it and this time I was determined to succeed.

“I got Christmas out the way and started back in January, 2015. I attended my local meeting in Blackpool and started to lose weight. I was never a big fan of exercise, so I started walking.

“I would go for a two mile walk during my lunch breaks, at night after work and at the weekends. I even started my own walking club in Blackpool.

“This coupled with the Weight Watchers plan and generally looking after myself meant that I was losing the weight but still able to go out and enjoy myself at the same time.”

And now five stones lighter, Andy wants to pass on what he learned and has set up his own Garstang class and says seeing people achieve little goals makes his job worthwhile.

“I feel incredible,” Andy said. “When I look at the before pictures I don’t even recognise that person.

“I’ve never been able to run but now I’m going around the block and enjoying being able to do it.

“I’m even doing a naked photoshoot, which is something I would never have had the confidence to do before losing the weight. I was close to needing surgery on my knees because of the weight they were having to carry.

“Now I want to pass on what I’ve learnt to the people of Garstang.

“When people come to me and say they’ve gone down a dress size or can play with their children for longer than before, that’s what I love to hear and it makes my job worthwhile.”

Andy already has classes in Fleetwood and Blackpool and his new Garstang class will be held on Fridays at 9.30am in Garstang Sports and Social Club off Lancaster Road.